23Aug13

78 militants killed in military operations in Egypt's Sinai: statement

Some 78 militants belonging to hardline Jihadists were killed, and 203 others
were arrested in Egyptian army's operations targeting terrorist hideouts in
Sinai peninsula, the armed forces said in a statement posted on its social
network page on Friday.

"As many as 203 terrorists accused of attacking checkpoints, government
premises and soldiers in Sinai's northern city of Arish have been arrested
during security operations launched by the armed forces and police," a military
spokesperson stated.

The arrested elements included 124 Egyptians and 79 foreigners, he added.

Moreover, the security forces along with the border guards managed to
destroy 343 tunnels in Rafah city bordering Israel, read the statement.

The security situation in Sinai peninsula has been deteriorating since 2011,
especially after the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in early July.
The Egyptian army then launched massive military operations in the peninsula
to sweep out the militants.

[Source: Xinhua, Cairo, 23Aug13]

This document has been published on 30Aug13 by the Equipo Nizkor and Derechos Human Rights. In accordance with
Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a
prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational
purposes.